AU's Newton named National Offensive Player of the Week

AUBURN – Auburn junior quarterback Cam Newton has been named the National Offensive Player of the Week by the Walter Camp Football Foundation, it was announced Sunday.

Newton was honored for his performance in Auburn's 65-43 victory over Arkansas Saturday. Newton rushed for 188 yards and three touchdowns, while completing 10-of-14 passes for 140 yards and another score.

Newton scored on touchdown runs of 5, 1 and 3 yards, and threw a 15-yard scoring strike to Emory Blake to give Auburn the lead for good in the fourth quarter. He had four rushes of more than 20 yards during the contest.

The College Park, Ga., native totaled at least 170 yards on the ground for the fourth time this season, becoming the first player in Auburn history to rush for at least 170 yards in three straight Southeastern Conference games. His four 170-yard rushing games in a single season has been matched in Auburn history by only Bo Jackson during his 1985 Heisman Trophy-winning season, and he now owns four of the top 50 rushing performances in school history.

It marked the fourth time this season that Newton has accounted for at least four touchdowns in a game. He leads the nation with a combined 25 touchdowns (13 passing, 12 rushing), which is just one shy of the school record held by Pat Sullivan (1970).

Newton currently ranks second nationally in passing efficiency (180.53) and 11th in rushing (122.9) and total offense (305.4). He leads the SEC in each of those categories.

Middle Tennessee and Arkansas State rolled into town Tuesday afternoon to kickoff activities for the 2017 Raycom Media Camellia Bowl. The fourth annual Camellia Bowl will be played Saturday, Dec. 16 at historic Cramton Bowl. The game will be televised by ESPN with kickoff set for 7:05 p.m. (CDT).

Middle Tennessee and Arkansas State rolled into town Tuesday afternoon to kickoff activities for the 2017 Raycom Media Camellia Bowl. The fourth annual Camellia Bowl will be played Saturday, Dec. 16 at historic Cramton Bowl. The game will be televised by ESPN with kickoff set for 7:05 p.m. (CDT).